NCT06005766 The Efficacy of Metacognitive Skills Training in the Context of Forensic Psychiatric Care
| NCT ID | NCT06005766 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Jyvaskyla |
| Condition | Schizophrenia |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 85 participants |
| Start Date | 2023-09-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12 |
Eligibility & Interventions
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 85 participants in total. It began in 2023-09-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-12.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Deficiencies in social cognition are part of the core symptomatology of psychotic disorders. And deficiencies in social cognition, the closely related concept of metacognition, and, for example, paranoid attitudes are all associated with violence. The link between social cognition and violence is also observed through rehabilitation, as both group-based Social Cognition Interaction Training (SCIT) and group-based Metacognitive Skills Training (MCT) have reduced violent behavior in patients with psychotic disorders. Thus, a better knowledge of social cognition and its rehabilitation in psychotic disorders can help to reduce risky behavior and to rehabilitate the significant social difficulties often found in psychotic disorders. This research study aims to examine factors underlying the efficacy of group-based MCT. The goal of the metacognitive skills training group developed by Moritz and partners is to strengthen the social and metacognitive skills of the patients participating in the group. The group consists of 10 sessions during which exercises and discussion are emphasized. The themes of the group sessions are, for example, jumping to conclusions -bias, empathy, and memory. Detailed information is available from the MCT website (https://clinical-neuropsychology.de/metacognitive\_training-psychosis/). Overall there is meta-analysis-level evidence for the moderate effectiveness of MCT on positive symptoms of psychotic illnesses, such as delusions. Prior studies have argued that the unique factor underpinning MCT's efficacy is its impact on various cognitive biases, and that participating in the group especially reduces patients' tendency to jump to conclusions, which is a cognitive style associated with delusions and deficits in social perception and reasoning. As delusionality is related to the risk of violence, these results form a logical link between jumping to conclusions, delusionality, and violence. But the results regarding the effectiveness of MCT are still somewhat conflicting, and studies seem to be of varying quality. Additional longitudinal research and research related to the jumping to conclusion bias are also needed. The hypothesis regarding this study is that the MCT group reduces patients' tendency to jump to conclusions. These reductions are presumed to be associated in one-year follow-up with fewer mood symptoms, delusions, paranoia, and more psychological flexibility.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria (patients): * Willingness to participate in a scientific study * Diagnosis of a psychosis spectrum disorder * Finnish language skills due to questionnaires and psychological tests being in Finnish Exclusion Criteria (patients): * Psychosis that severely deteriorates the ability to function * Cognitive problems that severely deteriorate the ability to function * Guardianship established for personal matters Inclusion Criteria (non-patient controls): * Willingness to participate in a scientific study * Self-assessed sufficient Finnish language skills due to questionnaires and psychological tests being in Finnish Exclusion Criteria (non-patient controls): * Diagnosis of a psychosis spectrum disorder * Cognitive problems that severely interferes with functioning
Contact & Investigator
Raimo Lappalainen, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
University of Jyvaskyla
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06005766 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Schizophrenia. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06005766 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06005766 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at leo.kuutti@vvs.fi for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06005766 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Vaasa, Finland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06005766 clinical trial?
NCT06005766 is sponsored by University of Jyvaskyla. The principal investigator is Raimo Lappalainen, PhD at University of Jyvaskyla. The trial plans to enroll 85 participants.
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